newsadvancements and initiatives - Faculty Matters

By Heather Holliday
facultymatters.com
29
ast year there was a firestorm around
Yale professor Amy Chua’s book “Battle Hymn of the
Tiger Mother.” In it, she details how she raised successful
children. Among her rules: Her children never attended
a sleepover, had a play date, performed in a school play,
watched TV, or received a grade less than an ‘A.’ She also
criticized her children if they didn’t achieve.
Response to Battle Hymn ranged from venomous to
awestruck. And an emotional debate erupted about
what the best way is to achieve academic, professional
and social success. In addition to this battle, Chua’s book
stayed on the New York Times bestseller list for 11 weeks.
Controversial parenting methods aside, it seems people
were fascinated with the book—and the idea of achieving
success at all costs.
After all, our culture appears to revere success, while failure
has become taboo—it’s almost a dirty word, for some.
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